May 10, 2014

Last weekend, I was filled with renewed energy for making, but it quickly turned into the energy of the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. Instead of running around with a clock around my neck yelling,"I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date", I was running around making lists, running up and down the stairs collecting supplies from the "studio" downstairs, and thinking of more and more projects. "I must make, I must make!" Let's just say, I did not get everything done on my list(s). I did manage to finish up a work project and finally clean up the pattern.

This pattern will be available very soon and I'll post a link as soon as I can.

Then it was time to make some sheep. I've been making these little sheep for my friend's Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser for at least 8 years. Every year I think that maybe people are getting bored, but every year there is a request. Last year, I was unable to attend but the bag for the tickets went out anyway, without the sheep, and I promised to make one. I never did it. The sheep were cut out, three of them, and they sat on my shelf, mocking me and my promise, until the eve of this year's fundraiser. There was no way I was showing up without the sheep I owed and some new sheep.

While I was making them, I realized I never get tired of them, even though I don't have any of my own. They are just so cute and full of personality. I find myself making up little stories about them and writing little Match profiles. " Annabelle enjoys the new, tender shoots of Spring's first grasses the best. She prefers grazing at sunset and the sound of cows in the meadow..." Just kidding. Sort of. (Annabelle has the pink flower. Alice and Crystal have slightly more refined tastes. Just saying.) At any rate, I finished 5 sheep and felt the satisfaction of getting a sheep shaped monkey off of my back.

As far as the other hundred projects on the list, they sit there waiting patiently like the sheep.

Now for Starts! My Favorite.

I bought 2 skeins of Juniper Moon Findley when it was on sale last month. I think I can get the original long version of "Rooshed" and the shorter version out of these 2 skeins. Turns out my buying, and starting, a new "Rooshed" foreshadowed the loss of my beloved original "Rooshed". My dear friend from college came to visit and I couldn't resist the way the color of the original "Rooshed" picked up the low-lights in her hair, so, now she has it, and I don't.

Oh, to be a ginger! That hair. Now, I need to get moving on this one. I wear that scarf all the time.

I also bought yarn, yesterday, to start another Chevron Baby Blanket. I can't seem to stop knitting the same patterns over and over again. These patterns, in particular, are like meditation for me. I don't even have to look at the pattern anymore.

The first section is nearly done and the other skeins are wound into very satisfying cakes of neutrals and colors. (I'm beginning to change my mind about the ball winder, but that's a rant best saved for when I have nothing else to talk about.) I chose to use Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton this time. The top looks like a sunburst!

Since there is obviously another baby coming, (see blanket above) I also couldn't resist buying some more Berroco Modern Cotton to make "Baby Showers". Oh yeah, I haven't talked about THAT yet. What have I been doing?

I mentioned "Baby Showers" in my previous post, it's the sweater I designed in honor of all the babies being born. It's a quick, easy, top-down raglan and hat set. The directions are written for one size only, perfect for a baby shower present.

I've knit 5 already and just cast on for another one. This time I'm striping the whole thing! It's my ode to sherbet.

In really exciting news, the Berroco Design Studio Blog found the pattern on Ravelry and asked to feature me in one of their designer spotlight posts. It took me by surprise when it showed up in my facebook feed. I'm totally blown away.

It's just started to rain here, making it a perfect afternoon for some knitting for babies, arguably the best kind of knitting there is.

May 04, 2014

It's been about six years since I started Ms. Ellaneous Crafts a Life. I love writing a blog but sometimes I love it more in theory than in practice. Things, like work, kids' activities, an obsession with exercising, and just plain exhaustion sometimes keep me from doing what I love to do. I'm always trying to change that, but more and more I'm wondering if that's just the way it's going to be. All I really know is I keep coming back, back to making things and back to this space to share. Luckily, you wonderful readers seem to come back when I do. Thank you!

That being said, with the the help of an amazingly talented friend, the blog has a new look! Just by paying attention and updating the look of the blog, my energy around it has shifted. It's a bit like moving furniture, all of a sudden everything feels fresh and new. I hope you all can tell the difference too.

I haven't been writing, but I haven't stopped making, so, get ready for a visual deluge of projects from the last three months.

There was weaving, in a valiant attempt to keep up with my Stash to Treasure challenge. Stash to Treasure, you felt like such a good idea. Even though I can't seem to get all the projects done on time, I'm going to keep trying!

This was woven with a bag of mop ends that were purchased for a different project. They have been sitting in my stash for years.

We are happily using this rug outside our shower. It absorbs the massive puddles left by our 11yr old when he forgets to shut the door. There is a small problem with "Stash to Treasure" (in addition to the fact I can't actually complete the challenge on a monthly basis) Now I want these rugs outside all of the showers and I will have to buy more mops!

On the same warp, I wove another rug.

This one was made of denim material torn into strips. I've had that material in my stash for over 10 yrs. I like this one but not quite as much as the mop rug. That's two weaving projects down, 10 to go!

I had a baby shower for a dear friend. There were flowers, food, blessings for the baby, and amazing women all in one room! It was such a lovely afternoon.

There are so many babies being born this spring that I designed an easy baby sweater and hat to make. Here's a sneak peek. I'll write a full post soon!

I also knit a baby blanket for her baby but couldn't get it done for the baby shower. I did manage to finish it right after he was born. Now he's all snuggled up in hand knit goodness!

I've also been working on some projects for work that I will happily share when I can. I'm sure I've forgotten a dozen things and it probably won't be the last time! Off to make some sheep and take pictures of them in the grass.

February 09, 2014

It's been a productive day, so far, in the studio. I've swatched my little heart out over the past week in preparation for some new videos, for work, highlighting Berroco, Rowan and Classic Elite's new Spring collections.

I have the privilege of making the swatches for the video and for the store. It's a little bit like a wine tasting for me, I taste the wine, then I want all the wine. It's the same when I swatch, I knit the yarn, then I want all the yarn! It just feeds my already, slightly out of control, habit. Maybe I should rethink swatching.

I finished up the swatches this morning and moved right to making more towel ponchos.

I made some last week for the Rec swim team championships and they were a hit. Now, it's the high school regional Champs and six more were requested. I tried one on this morning and they are super comfy, plus, you are wearing a poncho! A1 insists that nobody can be in a bad mood when they are wearing a poncho. I think she's right.

So, there's a very long swim meet today and I have a list of a million things that need to be knit, so many babies coming, but...

How exactly am I supposed to resist this unbelievably beautiful skein of Madelinetosh? Doesn't it just shout "Spring" in the midst of this very long, cold, snowy winter? I'm powerless I tell you! (And it's a stash yarn, YES!)

I think I might just whip up a little Sock Yarn Slouchy Hat and Short Eyelet Cowl, which I haven't written a pattern for yet, while I watch the swim meet. Those babies won't be here for awhile. I have plenty of time.

February 02, 2014

Well, I'm sorry to say I did not quite make the Stash To Treasure deadline for this month. As I sit here on the second of February, I have completed the knitting portion of the challenge, twice over, with two "Elementary" Cowls knit exclusively from stash yarn.

This one is knit with 3 skeins of Classic Elite Yarns, Chateau. A3 requested one after seeing all the other fluffy cowls that were given away. I just happened to have three skeins sitting, unused, in my stash thanks to a lovely and generous co-worker.

Then I had to quickly try the short "Elementary" Cowl, also made from a skein of Chateau and a leftover skein of Chalet. I think I'm starting to feel a little bit of Valentine's Day madness coming on.

Actually, I'm quite sure I am. I pulled out the Love Monster pattern from last Valentine's day and I'm working on a fingering weight version.

Wait, what were we talking about? Right, Stash To Treasure. This is made from stash yarn. Can this count for February?

On the weaving front, I managed to wind a warp, but,

I haven't found time to dress the loom yet. I think this one is going to have to wait until swim season is over, the sewing project too. As a matter of fact, I have to go downstairs and sew three towel ponchos for Swim Champs this afternoon. Unfortunately, they don't count towards the challenge. I didn't have six black and red towels sitting in my stash!

So, it's pretty clear I can get the knitting done. I still have hope that I can make a dent in the weaving and sewing stash too. Just keep making! That will be my motto for next month.

January 15, 2014

I'm done, finally. Like I said in the previous post, this pattern has been haunting me a little bit. I originally designed it for a "design a cowl" challenge at work, in August, using leftover yarn from swatches and my stash. I was inspired by a binge watching session of Elementary. I needed an easy pattern to knit while I watched and who wouldn't be inspired by Watson's amazing wardrobe. She clearly has an appreciation for the hand knits, as does the costume designer. With that as a jumping point, I was reminded of a wonderful pattern for socks in Melanie Falick's Kids Knitting book. (This is the book I used when I was teaching myself to knit and I recommend it all the time at work for kids wanting to learn how to knit and grownups!)

The pattern is easy, add a stitch in the beginning, take a stitch out at the end. Adding and subtracting, It's Elementary! I love it when a pattern comes together. I also love it when you can find just the right materials in your stash. The first version was knit with a leftover skein of Rowan Lima Colour that I used for a swatch at work and two leftover skeins of Cascade Eco Cloud. Both yarns have a chainette construction, making them super squishy, and are made with alpaca, making them soft and warm. Here's the first version.

After that, I knit another one for a colleague at work.

Then a short one with the leftovers.

After that, I got the bright idea to knit one, or two, and send them to Lucy Liu and the costume designer at Elementary.

That's when requests for the pattern started coming in from people at work. The texture and feel are irresistible. I knit 5 more for gifts and two for myself. I did not write up the pattern. I did not send them to Elementary. When A1 came home for the holidays I bought some yarn and had her test knit it. I did not write up the pattern. I did not send them to Elementary.

So, here it is, the middle of January, sigh. BUT, the pattern is finally written, the pictures are processed, it's up on Ravelry and I'm about to send cowls to people I don't know at a TV show! Better late than never when you have a crazy idea.

You can see more pictures of all the cowls I've knit in this pattern on the Elementary Cowl project page. If you really want to get a closer look at the crazy. For now, I have another Elementary Cowl on the needles. This one is made out of free yarn from work like this one. (The new one is pictured at the bottom of the post)

It totally meets all the Stash to Treasure requirements for the knitting project! I haven't forgotten about that challenge. Let's knit!

January 11, 2014

I just can't seem to shake the urge to start things and for good reason. There are three babies that are due in the spring, three babies I NEED to knit for. There are also a whole host of patterns that need to be written, pictures that need to be taken, gifts that have been requested, and materials that need to be used. (See previous post)

Here's the tricky part, there are a lot of things that I need to finish too, not quite as fun. So, I'm trying to balance finishings and beginnings.

I managed to finish a last minute request for my Grandmother. Turns out, she only likes to wear things knit out of Ayatori. The last shawl I quickly knit is, let's just say, not her favorite. She won't wear it, but she won't stop wearing the Wave Cowl as a very short scarf. Wave Cowl 2.0 is born.

I took the wave cowl pattern and knit it as a 16" round scarf. It's longer than the Wave Cowl, worn folded and hooked around her neck, which is the way she wears it. I hope she likes it. I think the other one needs a rest!

I also finished another cowl knit in a pattern I'm trying to write and publish.

As a matter of fact, it's open on my computer right now, mocking me. You've seen small glimpses of some of the finished cowls throughout the fall, but I'm thoroughly stuck when it comes to actually writing everything down. I can't work on it for too long because my head starts to swim and I start daydreaming about knitting another one, picking out yarn, and colors. I can't seem to finish the pattern but I'm about to start the 11th cowl knit in that pattern!

I think I may need some system of rewards to actually get it done, work a certain amount of time, wind a ball and start a project. It could work. I'll let you know.

(I couldn't help starting. In my defense, I did do a little work on the pattern. Really.)

January 05, 2014

I've packed up Christmas and made some room for new projects and new plans. I can't help but feel refreshed around the new year, a blank slate, if you will. After the rush of making gifts, seeing family and friends, and all the extra events around the holidays, I look forward to the relative quiet of winter. I seem to always have a wave of new ideas and a renewed energy for seeing them to fruition. As a matter of fact, I've decided on a little stash busting challenge for myself.

When I started thinking about this challenge I had big plans. Every week I would finish a sewing, knitting and weaving project! My stash would be gone in no time! It's perfect! Then, because I am attempting to be a grown up and slightly more realistic, I decided maybe a sewing, knitting and weaving project every month. That still might be a little unrealistic but I'm willing to give it a try. I'm also not going to impose any unrealistic edicts like, "Though Shall Not buy Yarn!" I work at a yarn store. It's impossible not to buy yarn. What I would like to do is use some of the random yarn in my stash to come up with some new projects, try some interesting sewing projects and weave up some new home-goods.

So, stay tuned for the Stash to Treasure posts and feel free to remind me, gently, if possible, of my stash challenge. May the new year be full of wonderful projects!

(Lest you think I left my auxiliary studio a mess, it's all put away, waiting to be chosen for the first project!)

November 03, 2013

I'm working on finishing up some projects and tidying up in the studio this morning. My problem is, I can't stop buying yarns and starting new things! Everyday I worked this week, I bought new yarn. I can justify all of it, really, I NEEDED it. Some of it is yarn that I recommended to my Handmade Holidays class for washcloths/dishcloths. I wanted to knit up some examples to make sure it worked. I don't like to steer people in the wrong yarn direction.

This is Classic Elite Cricket and it might be my new favorite yarn for washcloths/dishcloths. It's 60% cotton and 40% linen and on closeout. The linen makes it light but strong, so it dries out more quickly than just cotton. Wait... this post is not my dissertation on dishcloths. I get distracted.

My next purchase was for more slouchy hats since they seem to disappear around here. This time we are going with team colors.

This is On-Line Supersocke, London Color. I'm so happy with my Eyelet Sock Yarn Hat pattern. I've knit about six of them! I've been sizing them down for toddlers and babies, and changing the numbers for different weights of yarn. I leave the eyelets in for girls and take them out for boys, using the same numbers. Again, maybe this is another post.

What I was really trying to write about today was being judgemental, about yarn. If you've read the blog for very long you know I tend to use yarns like Madelinetosh,

and other natural fibers. (I'm trying not to get distracted and start going into an in depth discourse on the beauty and wonder-fullness of these fibers...must resist)

I will admit, I'm a little judgemental when it comes to synthetic fibers and novelty yarns. Maybe that's putting it mildly. That being said, more and more I'm finding projects where THOSE yarns (listen to that judgement) are perfect. I started with blends that were practical like the yarn I used for my grandmother's shawl, but imagine my own dismay when I purchased these skeins yesterday, and the shock on my co-workers faces. They know my purchases all too well!

This is Lumio (the all pink yarn) and Bravo Big from SMC, part of their My Mountain Collection. We've had it at the store for awhile and I'll admit it, I've been secretly judgemental, unntil A1 started talking about walking down the English country lanes in the dark. Clearly she needs a bright reflective hat so she doesn't get run over by a bicycle or a cow. It also needed to be a quick knit. I have to send a package to her tomorrow! This was the best choice but I was still skeptical.

I promptly went home and knit the hat on the left and started the next. It was really fun! These yarns are 100% synthetic people, 100%! The kids had a bonfire last night, with friends, and everyone was wearing the hat. I even wore it and it was fun.

I seem to have learned an important lesson about yarn through this experience. Every yarn has it's place and maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge. Hmm... that could be true about other things as well.

Oh knitting! Your lessons never seem to end and they come in some crazy colors!

October 20, 2013

I was excited on Friday. The Store was buzzing, full of knitters, crocheters, and spinners dropping in on their way to Rhinebeck. I was going too! Through a stroke of good luck, I scored a seat on the bus to Rhinebeck. I was going to take pictures, see what was going on in the world of sheep and wool and maybe find a unique skein of yarn to Roosh. Then plans changed.

It was one of those things. I was walking, confidently, I might add, to the car for my lunch break. I walk a lot and I usually feel pretty good about it. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, my boots were clicking on the pavement. I stepped on a rock, my ankle rolled and then, I was on the pavement. My phone went flying, my favorite water bottle broke into pieces and I hit my head.

Luckily, I could get up and make my way back to the kitchen inside. My co-workers are wonderful. I was given ice, assessed for possible concussion, and G was called to come get me, all with humor and care. Someone even did my yarn shopping for me!

I'm fine, but I didn't make it to Rhinebeck. From the pictures on Facebook, it looked like a wonderful day. What I did do was nurse my wounds and knit a shawl for my grandmother who is in the hospital.

This is the Rustico Shawlette by Susan Venable. I didn't do a gauge swatch so it came out a little smaller than it should have. I really must have been hit in the head. I know better! I'm blocking it now, on the aggressive side, so it should be fine. It's quite pretty. I hope it keeps my grandmother warm and lets her know I'm thinking of her. Sometimes knitting is all you can do.

I try my best to roll with whatever the day brings. Now, if I can just figure out how to roll over the rocks. Maybe next year Rhinebeck.

October 16, 2013

I feel like I'm just walking from pile to pile, picking something up, working on it for a minute, putting it down, and then going back to the first pile. I am notoriously manic about projects at this time of year. It's something about the cooler air, it makes me want to make and make and MAKE! Enter 'The List'.

'The List', It's extensive, it's comprehensive, it's ever growing and never ending. It catalogs ideas, the necessary business of life and projects, most importantly, the projects. The problem is I just keep adding. For every one that I've finished, I've added three more. I'm going to try and follow the pattern above, but it may prove to be impossible.

Let's talk about the items I have crossed off. Shall we? The Running hat is done.

The back is the best part, but I need a model for that bit.

I've started and finished two cowls.

And an owl.

This was a joint project with A1. She did most of the work but it was on my list too, so I'm taking credit and the pleasure of crossing it off!

I will also cross off 'Attempt to blog more'. Done and Done. I will not talk about the items that were added or the materials purchased. That may need to be another blog post or a topic for therapy.